Diagnosis and treatment of dentin hypersensitivity

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the primary causes of dentin hypersensitivity, the type of pain associated with it, the teeth most commonly affected, and the preventive measures that dentists recommend. Additionally, we explored the most effective treatments, including those for in-office and at-home use.
Methods: For this research, questionnaires were developed and distributed to 30 dental offices.
Results: According to the surveyed dentists, premolars and molars are most frequently affected by dentin hypersensitivity (63.63%). In terms of the side of the tooth most commonly affected, 72.73% of respondents indicated that it occurs most often on the vestibular side. For home treatment of dentin hypersensitivity, toothpastes are the most commonly used remedy (54.55%), followed by mouthwashes (45.45%). For sealing dentinal tubules, fluoride-based products are the most common (45.46%), followed by adhesives (36.36%) and varnishes (18.18%). Notably, none of the surveyed practices use lasers for sealing dentinal tubules.
Conclusions: When dealing with a patient presenting all the symptoms of dentin hypersensitivity, the most important step is to perform a differential diagnosis to distinguish it from other types of orofacial pain, and provide appropriate treatment, which can be either home-based, in-office, or a combination of both.
Keywords: Dentin Hypersensitivity, Erosion, Abrasion